ANGRY West End residents were today due to protest against plans to open a hostel for homeless men.

Glasgow City Council wants to move elderly residents from a property in Burnbank Gardens to a purpose-built unit in Possilpark.

Social work bosses intend then moving 40 homeless men into Burnbank House to help cope with a short-age of accommodation.

Local people insist they were not consulted about the plan but were instead told it was going to happen.

They plan to show their anger at their treatment by the city council by staging a protest outside Maryhill Central Halls, where Social work staff are due to be holding a meeting to give local people information about the homeless unit.

Members of Burnbank Action Group, which is organising the protest, say the hostel will accommodate men with alcohol and drug dependency problems, as well as former prisoners.

A spokesman said: "At a recent meeting of the action group, 100 local residents said no to this proposed hostel.

"Burnbank House is being emptied of elderly residents in preparation for its conversion to a home-less unit for 40 men.

"Local residents are deeply opposed to this plan for a number of good reasons.

"The house is in a residential street between two housing blocks predominantly for the elderly, adjacent to a care home and sheltered housing in nearby streets.

"The houses opposite are mostly family homes with children, elderly residents and single women.

"There has been no consultation with local residents and the plan has already increased anxiety within the area, particularly among elderly residents."

The social work information session runs from 1pm to 8pm.

A city council spokesman said: "The city has a duty to provide accommodation for people affected by homelessness. We hope the information event will provide people with the reassurances they are looking for.

"These premises will be properly supervised and have a range of security measures."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk